Iraq’s national security adviser urges Germany to repatriate ISIS detainees

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s National Security Adviser Qasim al-Araji met Tuesday with German State Secretary at the Federal Foreign Office Géza Andreas von Geyr to discuss counterterrorism cooperation and intelligence sharing, pressing concerned countries to repatriate their nationals held among Islamic State detainees recently transferred from Syria.

Al-Araji called on countries “to receive their nationals among the prisoners who were recently transferred to Iraq, to preserve sustainable security and stability in the region and the world.”

Iraq’s Justice Ministry says 5,703 Islamic State detainees transferred from Syria are currently held in Iraqi prisons, representing more than 60 nationalities. U.S. Central Command has been transferring detainees to Iraq following an offensive by Syrian government forces and allied Islamist militias against Kurdish-held areas, which triggered concerns over detention facilities holding thousands of prisoners and their families. Clashes near several sites led to reported escapes.

The two officials also discussed broader bilateral relations and ways to develop them in line with shared interests, according to al-Araji’s media office.

Iraqi officials have warned that renewed violence in Syria could enable ISIS cells to regroup and attempt cross-border movement.